GMAC Partnership
The GMAC partnership aims to nurture the next generation of film and TV talent while addressing important social issues via the Applied Dissertation in Community & Collaborative Practice programme. It’s a first-of-its-kind course, bringing together senior honours students of Film & TV Studies and other subjects in the School of Culture & Creative Arts with local community organisations.
Over the academic year, students and community members attend workshops hosted by GMAC, agreeing on a shared vision to co-produce, film and edit impactful films and campaigns, culminating in a celebratory event to showcase their work. The films can also be used by the community partners to raise awareness of social issues and build support for their charitable and activist causes.
The innovative programme emphasises co-design, co-creation, and co-evaluation to enhance project outcomes and foster a sense of belonging for all involved. It aims to improve students' agency, employability and self-awareness while providing valuable exposure for community partners.
The course was awarded a University of Glasgow College of Arts & Humanities Teaching Excellence Award (Team Award) in 2024-25.
Applied Dissertation in Community & Collaborative Practice
Discover the works produced by community partners and students of the Applied Dissertation in Community & Collaborative Practice (GMAC partnership).
Bluevale Community Club (Abby Gilson, Ally Nicolas & Felix Round 2025)
Mind the Men (Jay Hargreaves, Sam Hussey & Michael Roberton 2025)
Music Broth (Tara Jackson, Nico Peden 2025)
Pride Outside (Luisa Connarty & Jenny MacInnes 2025)
Active Life Club (Joely Lerpiniere & Oriana Pooles 2024)
Dress For Success (Sophie Hargadon Gonzalez, Jessica Hodgart & Sara Lombardo 2024)
Food Not Bombs (Rosie Bowyer & Morgan Hare 2024)
Marie Trust (Beatrice Lent & Robert McShane 2024)
Plant Grow Share (Claire Hunter, Lindsay Maybury & Julia Pujals Antolin 2024)
Simon Community (Antony Fury & Megan McGee 2024)
"Professionally the course has opened up many doors for myself. I met amazing industry professionals that have given me opportunities I would never have expected. Personally the course allowed me work with groups and people that expanded my mindset and allowed me to grow as a person."
Student 2024-25
"The experience I gained has helped me to secure interviews to filmmaking internships, and more recently a position as an intern working with a charity in edinburgh to make a promotional film."
"it is an incredibly useful experience for students, as well as a great way to connect students in the arts with the local community."
Student 2024-25
"Through the course I discovered that I want to pursue documentary filmmaking. I found working with the charity, researching and getting to know their story incredibly fulfilling and it made the filmmaking experience much more enjoyable. It gave me clear insight into the type of work I’d like to do in my future career."
Student 2024-25
"This course has taught me a lot about collaborative documentary filmmaking, in technical terms but also on the ethics And it has helped me get out of my comfort zone and meet local organisations and discover the importance of their work for the community."
Student 2024-25
“This was a great experience for us. Not only were we supported by GMAC and University of Glasgow staff but having the other charities there to bounce off was an added bonus. Our staff loved it. It’s inspired their creativity and their drive to learn more. The end result was the biggest plus. A film we can use to showcase what we do but multi-faceted enough that broken down into bite-size chunks so that each section can reach a different audience.”
Community Partner 2023-24
“Witnessing these individuals and communities collaborate so effectively and move forwards with their new-found skills and connections is exactly what we had hoped to achieve when designing the project with University of Glasgow.”
GMAC
“This course has been a transformative experience. It demonstrated the process and progress of filmmaking from initial concepts to finalised product. It equipped me with new skills like camera operation, editing, as well as collaboration and communication. I've gained a level of confidence in my abilities that I never thought possible, opening doors to a career path I'm now certain I want to pursue.”
Student 2023-24
"As a community participant, I really got to understand how powerful it is when third sector organisations have the opportunity to work with upcoming talent. It's a truly wonderful program that I hope continues to inspire others for many years to come."
- Community Partner 2024-25
“We've seen an increase in confidence for participants along with a great sense of pride in the work that they do. Being able to share this with others is very rewarding and reminds us of the important work that we do as well as the impact this has on the people we support.”
Community Partner 2023-24
“This course has been a transformative experience. It demonstrated the process and progress of filmmaking from initial concepts to finalised product. It equipped me with new skills like camera operation, editing, as well as collaboration and communication. I've gained a level of confidence in my abilities that I never thought possible, opening doors to a career path I'm now certain I want to pursue.”
Student 2023-24
